Chapter 446: Epilogue: Where It All Started (IIl)

"I lead a team of thirty people. I believe if you feel like there is no way to escape, you should work harder. Let's not complain. 9-9-6 is inevitable and has been a part of society for two decades or more. If you don't do it, there is a long line of people willing to do it in your place."

Qian Meng sucked in a horrified breath. 

"I know that the business-owners sitting in the studio with me today won't admit to the same, but from the perspective of the corporation, if someone is not willing to do the work, there are others who are. If the company doesn't work on overdrive all the time, they will lose out to other companies who are. The cost of the functioning of the company will increase and the efficiency will decrease."

The tech CEO nodded. "Absolutely. In the end, such companies will be overtaken by the competition."

Their argument, therefore was, it's not the companies who are making you work hard, but that other people are running too fast and they didn't want to be left behind in the dust, losing out all their money. 

"Yes. So, no matter if I change my place of work or my career, the stress might be less compared to my current job, but the drive to work longer and harder will still remain. To be irreplaceable, you need to be someone who is willing to sacrifice."

Su Jin spoke briefly and continued the conversation until she started to ask about the work culture in the panelist's own company. Qian Meng's turn came and she had to speak, frustration building in her heart. 

"Before I speak about my company's policy, I would like to state that most of us are passively caught in this work culture because even if we don't personally follow inhumane routines, partners might do so." She sighed. "Setting high targets, making your employees feel like they are bad people if they don't want to work long hours… this is a culture I have come across a lot. As humans, I think our dignity and liberty are important. I don't want to stand here and pretend like the words spoken by others don't disturb me. To say that an employee is easily replaceable and that if you don't work and cherish yourself you are throwing yourself into poverty… I strongly disagree. We work because we either enjoy it or want money to survive. But if we are barely surviving as soulless machines… what's the point?" Qian Meng questioned. 

"Are you saying that you don't stress on your employees to meet deadlines?" someone challenged. 

"Deadlines are important and of course they are set. But my employees don't need to sneak out of work and walk around on the streets to recuperate," Qian Meng challenged with the rise of a brow. 

The light chuckle from the two employees was indication enough that Qian Meng was right. 

"My company still has the eight-hour schedule, but we only work four days a week," Qian Meng announced. "I am proud of this because I myself can't dedicate twelve hours a day six days a week. I have a life I want to enjoy and a family whom I cherish. If I have this standard for living my life, then I should make sure that the people around me get the same choice," she demanded. 

Some agreed. 

"But as a business owner, is that a profitable model?" the CEO of the startup asked. 

Qian Meng smirked. "I don't intend to offend but what is your turnover rate?" she asked. She raised her hand to stop him from answering. "I will assume from your expression that it is high. It's because of the stress of excessive work and bad company culture. I am not pointing at you only, but at most companies. When an employee quits, a new employee has to learn their responsibility of it is added onto another existing employee. The more pressure, the less productive the employees become," Qian Meng stated. "My business model is based on paying people what they are worth and making sure they are healthy and happy. Their love for their work reflects in their work. I don't need to force people to meet deadlines, the working hours are helpful in that."

She had an open discussion with Professor Bo about fewer workdays and what the research showed were the results of it. Having done this for two and a half years now, Qian Meng was confident in the results.

It was actually even more controversial when Mo Qingchen started to speak. Mo Qingchen's company still had the eight hours and five days policy with half a day of work on alternate Saturdays. But his office space had been reduced and employees could choose if they wanted to work from a physical office or remotely. 

"Why did you take this decision?" Su Jin asked. 

"After the birth of my kids, Qian Meng took a six-month leave and she usually responded to emails and took calls for her maternity leave. I had two months off. But I kept extending it and working from home until her maternity leave came to an end. I found that I liked it better working from home. I could keep an eye on the kids all day and most of my work could be done from home." He shrugged. "I extended the offer to my employees. It cut down on hours of travel time and cost."

"But why do you keep it voluntary on-site working?"

"Because some people find it easier to work in the office. It's their personal preference. If they are space-oriented or working from home isn't an option for them."

In the end, no one would oppose the models put forward by Qian Meng and Mo Qingchen. Though they were very different, the models worked on their own. 

Ripples went across the internet. The country's favorite power couple was back at it. They were defending each other and serving affection to all that could see them. 

They were moaned about the lack of information on the triplets, but that didn't last for long. They knew of the existence of the three kids and their names. But they had never seen a shadow of said kids. 

Rumors floated around the internet that Mo Qingchen drove Qian Meng to the office every morning and then went back home. On days he had to work from the office, the whole family would come out of the car, all wearing matching clothes and looking like models. 

Employees also said that Mr. Mo had attended meetings with one kid sitting on the chair he was supposed to be in and one kid in each arm as he paced around the room and listened to presentations. 

Qian Meng, despite her years of kickboxing training, was still unable to handle more than one kid at a time. These three were a handful, to begin with. Only Mo Qingchen somehow managed them with ease. 

And therefore, the family thrived personally. The parents leaped over others, making ridiculous amounts of money and surpassing everyone, making good on their promise to be at the top of the world and living their best life.